The Fountain Inn, Birmingham

Wedge-shaped pub on the edge of the Gay Village, given a makeover at some stage and smarter than expected inside. With blinds across all the windows and subdued illumination, it could be quite gloomy, but some decorative red lighting (which may or may not have something to do with Christmas) helps. The bench seating around the walls in the bar area is supplemented by a few small tables and stools, and a second room can be found at the back. Hotel accommodation offered. Just Cowtown Copper from Kansas Avenue (£3.60) available from a total of total of five handpumps, but at least real ale is offered and it's not one of the usual suspects. Overall, better than I thought it would be.

Evening only gay bar, just off the main Gay Village

A now detached V-shaped corner pub, in light blue paintwork, with some exposed brick. It has lost the courtyard houses and the original Corporation swimming baths and most of the industry around it, leaving it a little forlorn, but it has re-invented itself as a gay friendly pub. There are a couple of room that i saw, set in a bit of an L-shape. I just saw one of these properly, which was a tidy little lounge in green, cream and red, with a wood floor and a small fireplace. There are red bench seats and a few pictures and other bits of ephemera on the walls. The serving bar is to the left and the service was fine. I didn't see a television and the music was mixed and at a decent level. Beer; usual keg stuff with Bombardier on handpull - which was as good as it can be really.